THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


THE  SONG  OF  LIFE 
AND  OTHER  POEMS 


The 

Song  of  Life 

And  Other  Poems 


By 
Dombey 


Boston 

The  Stratford  Co.,  Publishers 
1920 


Copyright    1920 

The  STRATFORD  CO.,  Publishers 
Boston,   Mass. 


The  Alpine  Press,  Boston,  Mass.,  U.  8.  A. 


iflarsljall  iCtmmjatmt  JJcrrtn 

WHOSE  EXAMPLE  AND  TEACHINGS  HAVE  BEEN  FOR 
YEARS  MY  CONSTANT  GUIDE  AND  INSPIRATION,  THIS 
LITTLE  VOLUME  IS  AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED. 


Contents 

PAGE 
THE  SONG  OF  LIFE 

Joy  surges  high 1 

The  Song  of  Life  is  hushed  ...  2 
When  by  a  potent  thought  ...  3 

AFTER  DEATH  IN  BATTLE    .    .   7 

LOVE  LYRICS 

Dost  thou  remember,  love  .  .  .13 
I  never  lived,  Beloved  .  .  ,  .14 
My  soul  is  hungry 14 

0  my  Beloved 14 

Beloved  of  my  heart      .        .        .        .15 

1  sought  thee  in  the  field        .        .        .16 

Unto  the  lover 17 

If  death  should  part  us  .        .        .        .18 
"Was  it  in  dreamy  Spain        .        .        .19 

Anticipation 21 

A  Struggling  Soul 22 


CONTENTS 

Before  the  Dawn 23 

Ascensus 24 

Luctus  Beneficium 26 

REAWAKENING 29 

The  Isle  of  Jersey 32 

Gibraltar  to  Tangier 36 


THE  SONG  OF  LIFE 


The  Song  of  Life 

JOY  surges  high  when  life  is  at  its  spring, 
Wild  as   the   rushing  of   some  mountain 

stream, 

That  bursting  forth,  o'erleaping  every  barrier, 
From  dizzy  precipice  to  threatening  shoal 
Plunges  unscathed  in  carefree  merriment. 
Life  seems  a  great  adventure  to  the  soul 
But  newly  come  from  dreamland,  that  forgets 
What  it  has  been,  all  it  has  known  before, 
And  madly  revelling,  defying  pain, 
For  every  pleasure  grasps  with  greedy  hand. 

Then  when  the  years  advance  and  hair  is  gray, 

After  the  bitter  tragedies  have  come, 

If  in  the  soul  mirth  lingers,  and  all  day 

A  merry  song  rings  clear  within  the  breast  — 

The  potent  urge  of  universal  Love 

Taps  all  life's  pent-up  sources,  till  at  last 

Out  of  youth's  heedless  joy  pure  rapture  springs, 

Swelling  forever  towards  the  Eternal  Sea; 

An  echo  of  that  infinite  Song  of  Life, 

Whose  wellspring  is  celestial  harmony. 


[1] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


The  Song  of  Life  Is  Hushed 


Song  of  Life  is  hushed: 
There  comes  a  pause 
As  the  soul  speeds 
To  its  much  needed  rest 
In  dreamless  night. 
Oh,  let  no  sound  of  grief 
Disturb  that  sleep, 
And  thus  bring  discord 
Into  that  pure  Song, 
When  the  soul  wakens 
To  the  fuller  light. 


[2] 


THE   SONG   OF   LIFE 


The  Song  of  Life 

WHEN  by  a  potent  thought  the  Almighty 
God 

Brought  Kosmos  out  of  chaos,  and  one  turn 
Of  that  relentless  wheel,  His  perfect  Law, 
Set  stars  and  planets  rolling  on  their  course 
In  boundless  space,  the  Song  of  Life  began. 
And  through  the  countless  eons  that  elapsed, 
While  painfully  and  slowly  did  evolve 
From  merest  atom  all  the  myriad  forms 
Of  growing  life,  that  ever  held  concealed 
A  spark  divine,  that  Song  did  yet  persist. 
And  e'en  to-day,  —  after  long  centuries 
Of  strife  and  toil,  and  progress  oft  so  slow 
It  seemed  at  times  a  retrogression,  —  still, 
Above  the  transient  discords  of  the  world, 
That  Song  doth  ring  in  perfect  harmony. 
And  when  within  the  stillness  of  our  heart, 
Silenced  the  outer  world,  we  feel  the  rhythm 
That  unifies  all  life,  it  then  may  be, 
That  in  that  rhythm  we  shall  catch  the  strain 


[3] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 

Of  the  Celestial  Music  of  the  Spheres, 
And  know  at  last  that  what  we  thought  a  cry 
Was  after  all —  a  Song. 


[4] 


AFTER  DEATH  IN  BATTLE 


After  Death  in  Battle 

A  lifeless  body  lies  blood-stained  upon  the 
ground.  The  spirit  looks  up  dazed  and  beholds 
another  spirit  bending  over  him. 

THE  FORMER 

WHO  art  thou?     Dost  thou  think  to  see 
in  me 

Some  old,  familiar  friend, 
That  thou  dost  gaze  upon  my  prostrate  form? 
I've  reached  the  end. 

THE  LATTER 

I  am  the  shade  of  him  thou  slewest  in  June, 
Close  by  the  river,  just  as  the  full  moon, 
Piercing  the  clouds,  revealed  my  form  amid 
The  too  scant  reeds.    Hast  thou  forgot?    I  did 
Not  think  thou  couldst  so  soon  forget  the  deed. 
I  killed  but  one  man  ere  earth's  final  dole 
Fell  to  my  lot ;  but  I  still  see  his  face 
Looking  in  mine  with  eyes  that  burn  my  soul. 


[7] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 

THE  FORMER 

Alas!   So  many  has  my  bayonet  thrust 
To  instant  or  to  lingering  death,  I  must 
Confess  I  have  no  memory,  save  of  one 
Great,  bleeding,  groaning  mass. 
But  wherefore,  prithee,  earnest  thou  to  do 
A  loving  service  to  thine  enemy? 

THE  LATTER 

Long  have  I  waited  for  thee,  for  I  knew 
Thou  couldst  not  of  thyself  find  out  the  way 
That  leads  to  rest.    I  know  it  now  at  last ; 
So  if  thou  wilt  but  follow,  till  thou  canst 
Unveil  the  flame  that  dimly  burns  within, 
Let  my  lamp  light  thy  path. 

THE  FORMER 
(starting  as  one  terrified) 

Tell  me,  where  am  I  ?    Everything  seems  strange 
And  yet  familiar.    Oh !  the  blood !   the  blood ! 
Help!    'Tis  my  life  blood  ebbs. 

THE  LATTER 

Nay,  friend,  'tis  but  the  picture  of  the  past ; 
You  do  not  bleed. 

[8] 


AFTER    DEATH    IN    BATTLE 

The  Former  faints.  The  other  surveys  him  with 
tender  sympathy. 

THE  FORMER 
(regaining  consciousness,  faintly) 

Go,  leave  me ;  there  are  those  more  worthy  far. 
I  must  go  back ;  I  know  such  love  too  late ! 
Behold  that  timid  soul  that  comes  but  now  — 

(Again  he  faints) 

THE  LATTER 

(standing  in  an  attitude  of  quiet  compassion) 
Nay,  nay,  thy  need  is  greatest.    I  shall  wait. 


[9] 


LOVE  LYRICS 


Love  Lyrics 

DOST  thou  remember,  love,  that  wondrous 
moment 

When  for  the  first  time  we  stood  soul  to  soul  ? 
Heart  spoke  to  heart,   although  no   word  was 

uttered, 
As  all  around  we  heard  the  billows  roll. 

A  myriad  burning  suns  blazed  in  the  heavens, 
A  myriad  quivered  on  the  darkened  sea, 
But  dimly  conscious  of  their  radiant  presence 
We  only  felt:  "At  last  I  am  with  thee!" 


[13] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


I  never  lived,  Beloved,  till  the  day 

I  knew  thee  for  my  own ; 
Now  I  can  never  cease  to  live,  Beloved, 

Once  having  known. 


My  soul  is  hungry,  thirsty,  languishing, 

0  come  to  me ! 
Or  if  imprisoned,  send  thy  soul 

Across  the  sea ! 


O  my  Beloved,  art  thou  still  so  lonely? 

My  spirit  is  with  thee,  where'er  thou  art; 
And  evermore  though  oceans  wide  divide  us, 

Thou  hast  my  heart! 


[14] 


LOVE    LYEICS 


Beloved  of  my  heart,  how  can  I  tell  thee 
The  longing  of  my  soul  to  reach  to  thine? 
Thou  soarest  in  thy  radiance  far  above  me, 
I  cannot  come,  too  slender  strength  is  mine. 

Do  not  descend  and  leave  that  glorious  summit, 
I  love  to  see  thee  scale  it,  and  I  pray 
That  thou  wilt  not  be  lonely  there  without  me, 
While  I  am  toiling  on  the  rugged  way. 

'Tis  not  " farewell,"    'tis  only  ''God  be  with 

thee," 

He  is  with  me  and  guides  my  erring  feet; 
I'll  follow,  and  some  day  the  height  thou  scalest 
I  too  shall  climb;  in  some  new  world  we'll  meet! 


[15] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


I  sought  thee  in  the  field  and  in  the  forest, 

Thou  wert  not  there; 
I  sought  thee  by  the  lakeside,  on  the  mountain, 

And  everywhere. 

Returning  to  my  room  from  vainly  searching 

The  busy  mart, 
I  looked  within,  and  lo!    I  found  thee 

Close  in  my  heart. 


[16] 


LOVE    LYRICS 


Unto  the  lover 

She  had  worshipped  long, 

In  wondrous  mood 
She  breathed  her  love  in  song. 

The  lover  smiled; 

He  neither  understood, 
Nor  knew  the  rapturous  thrill 

Of  her  he  wooed. 

A  passing  stranger 
From  that  pregnant  song 

Caught  but  a  strain; 
He,  lingering  too  long, 

Swooned  at  her  feet 

In  ecstasy  of  pain, 
The  rhapsody  completing,  — 

Yet.  his  love  was  vain. 


[17] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


IF  death  should  part  us 
And  thou  first  shouldst  pass 
Into  that  rest  where  we  shall  bide  awhile, 
Where  narrow  cares  no  longer  chafe  and  fret, 
Art  sure  that  thou  wilt  watch  until  I  come? 
Art  sure,  dear  love,  that  thou  wilt  not  forget? 

And  when  the  time  arrives 

That  we  return 

Again  to  earth,  for  we  must  surely  come, 

So  many  lessons  we  have  not  learned  yet, 

Art  sure  that  thou  wilt  watch  and  wait  for  me  ? 

Art  sure,  dear  love,  that  thou  wilt  not  forget? 


[18] 


LOVE   LYRICS 


WAS  it  in  dreamy  Spain 
That  last  we  met 
Long  centuries  ago? 
Or  was  it  fated  Carthage 
Where  I  wept 
To  let  you  go 
With  our  loved  Hannibal 
To  fight  the  ancient  foe? 

'Twas  by  the  sea,  dear  love, 

For  when  my  soul 

Comes  close  to  yours, 
I  see  a  white  sea-gull 

Sweep  slowly  down, 

While  dully  roars 
Afar  the  untamed  deep 

On  crag-bound  shores. 

It  was  not  in  the  north, 

For  as  I  looked 

Into  your  eyes 
When  you  came  back  to  me, 

I  felt  the  warmth 

[19] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 

Of  southern  skies 
Over  the  Midland  Sea 
When  daylight  dies. 

Perchance  it  was  in  Greece, 

For  in  my  dreams 

I  sometimes  see 
A  vision  of  Athene, 

Stern  yet  kind, 

Smiling  on  thee, 
And  far  away  the  hills 

Of  vine-clad  Thessaly. 


[20] 


THE   SONG   OF   LIFE 


Anticipation 

HEAVEN  were  to  me  a  place  where  I  may  be 
That  which  I  am,  in  frank  simplicity, 
Freed  from  pretence  and  fashion 's  crude  deceits ; 
And  where,  with  growing  vision,  I  may  see 
The  beckoning  form  of  what  I  hope  to  be. 


[21] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


A  Struggling  Soul 

FOR  love  and  sympathy  he  doth  but  grope 
With  restive  eagerness,  a  constant  hope 
Of  satisfaction  drives  him  blindly  on. 
His  thoughts  are  strangely  innocent,  his  kiss 
Is  just  a  childish  yearning  after  bliss 
That  passed  him  by  in  all  the  ages  gone. 

Pompous  with  self-complacency  he  seems 
And  anxious  emulation;  yet  the  dreams 

I  read  within  his  eyes  are  visions  faint 
Of  life  and  rapture  far  transcending  earth,  — 
Such  visions  as  precede  the  soul 's  rebirth 

In  one  grown  restless  under  long  restraint. 

Poor  struggling  soul,  caught  in  thy  chrysalis 
Of  confining  threads!   "Would  that  a  magic  kiss 

Could  free  those  pinions  quivering  for  their 

flight; 

But  only  thou  the  entangling  mesh  canst  break 
Thyself  hast  made,  and  let  thy  spirit  take 

Its  faltering  course  from  darkness  unto  Light. 

[22] 


THE   SONG  OP  LIFE 


Before  the  Dawn 

ONE  star  above  the  tower, 
A  plaintive  wail 
Deep  in  the  grove 
From    one   lone    nightingale, 
Out  on  the  glimmering  lake 
A  slackened  sail. 

Beyond  the  water's  gleam 
A  ghostly  maze 
Of  snow-capped  peaks 

In  dreamy,  mellow  haze, 

And  brooding  over  all 
The  moon's  chill  rays. 

Beneath  the  castle  tower, 

Bereft  of  sight, 

Prone  on  the  shore, 
"Wrapped  in  the  gloom  of  night, 
A  struggling  human  soul 

Praying  for  light. 


[23] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


Ascensus 

I    CALL    this   love?     Why,    'tis   but   selfish 
passion ! 

What  do  I  give  to  her  I  love  so  much? 
I  ask  of  her  a  life  of  sweet  compassion, 

And  am  not  fit  her  garment's  hem  to  touch. 

Love  giveth,  asking  not  what  it  receiveth, 
That  is  not  love  that  seeks  its  own  delight, 

The  love  she  feels  a  noble  heart  conceiveth, 
As  different  from  my  heart  as  day  from  night. 

Here  on  my  knees  in  humble  supplication, 
I  pray  to  God  to  give  me  light  to  see 

The  darkness  in  my  soul,  the  desolation, 
To  help  me  rise  to  that  which  I  must  be  — 

If  I  would  take  the  purity  and  sweetness 
Of  this  young  life  she  will  so  freely  give, 

And  make  of  it  with  mine  that  rare  completeness 
That  is  the  goal  of  those  that  truly  live. 

[24] 


ASCENSUS 

God,  help  me  build  upon  a  new  foundation 
A  temple  worthy  of  her  holy  shrine, 

Until  my  soul,  in  its  pure  re-creation, 

Shall  blend  with  hers  into  the  Soul  Divine. 


[25] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


Luctus  Beneficium 

THE  bitter  tragedy,  I  would  not  change  it, 
Through  tragedy  we  find  the  path  of  Peace ; 
Only  when  hearts  are  broken,  hopes  are  shat 
tered, 
Do  we  from  earthly  fetters  gain  release. 

Not  till  desire's  last  shred  is  rent  asunder, 
And  selfish  joys  have  paled  to  worthless  dross, 
Do  we  behold  with  free,  unclouded  vision 
The  mystic  blessing  of  a  blood-stained  cross. 


[26] 


REAWAKENING 


Reawakening 
CANTO  I 

ONCE  more  I  live  and  joy  has  come  again ! 
-  But  a  new  joy,  undreamed  of  ere  I  fell 
From  that  proud  height  that  I  with  cunning 

built 
And  fancied  to  be  paradise. 

CANTO  II 

Rebellious  against  heaven  and  its  decree 

I  would  not  yield.    The  treasure  of  my  heart, 

The  pulsing  bliss,  I  could  not  lose  and  live. 

Fiercely  did  I  contend. 

Then  came  the  thunderbolt  and  withered  all. 

Stunned  by  the  blow,  I  helpless  fell 

Down  from  the  pinnacle  of  my  security. 

CANTO  III 

Nothing  remained;  not  one  poor  shred 

Of  all  I  had  called  life ; 

E  'en  health  and  hope  were  sped. 

[291 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 

CANTO  IV 

Still  I  defied  Thee  and  demanded  back 
All  that  had  gone,  until  at  last, 
Like  some  poor  mollusk  on  a  bleak  sea-shore, 
Lashed  by  the  winds,  chilled  by  the  biting  blast, 
Writhing  I  cried :    ' '  Enough  !    I  yield  to  Thee. 
But  take  my  life  as  well.    I  have  no  will 
Longer  to  live.    My  course  is  run, 
And  all  my  usefulness  is  spent." 

CANTO  V 

Then  sweetly  came  a  voice :    ' '  Poor  child ! 
Art  thou  so  crushed?   Thou  wouldst  not  live? 
Of  all  the  many  millions  of  thy  kind 
Dost  think  that  half  would  live  ?    And  thou  ? 
Art  thou  but  as  the  great  majority?" 

CANTO  VI 

Roused  by  these  words  that  reached  my  shat 
tered  soul, 

I  raised  my  eyes.   Surprised  I  gazed,  for  lo ! 
A  heavenly  light  was  falling  full  upon  me. 

[30] 


REAWAKENING 

CANTO  VII 

The  great  majority?     They  have  not  known 

The  rapturous  possibilities  of  life. 

Am  I  as  they? 

To  drag  my  fellowmen  back  to  the  mire, 

From  which  they  groping  seek  to  rise 

Into  the  pure  effulgence  of  Thy  Light  ? 

CANTO  VIII 

Nay,  I  will  live,  and  strive  in  God's  best  way 
To  learn  to  lift 

Some  of  the  heavy  burden  of  the  world ; 
Mindful  that  each  pure  thought  and  selfless  act 
Helps  all  advance 

Toward  that  great  goal   to  which   we   onward 
press. 

CANTO  IX 

God,  let  me  cherish  in  my  heart 
No  earthly  idol  more;  or  if  I  should, 
And  Thou  again  shouldst  take  what  I  esteem 
The  jewel  of  my  soul,  then  will  I  bow 
My  will  to  Thine  and  say :   ' '  Great  God  I  thank 
Thee!" 

[31] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


The  Isle  of  Jersey 

YOU  may  long  to  be  in  England 
When  April  comes  again, 
Or  your  thoughts  may  turn  with  yearning 

To  the  skies  of  sunny  Spain, 
But  I  know  a  spot  that's  fairer 

Both  in  sunshine  and  in  rain, 
'Tis  the  Isle  of  dear  old  Jersey 

In  the  Channel. 
Oh,  the  lovely  Isle  of  Jersey, 
The  flower-strewn  Isle  of  Jersey, 
The  sweet-scented  Isle  of  Jersey 
In  the  Channel! 

From  Corbiere  to  Mont  Orgueil, 

And  on  to  Bouley  Bay, 
And  on  again  past  Greve  Le  Lecq 

Back  to  St.  Ouen's  Bay, 
Stretch  beetling  crags  and  sandy  shores 

To  gladden  all  the  way 
Round  the  sea-girt  Isle  of  Jersey 
In  the  Channel. 

[32] 


THE    ISLE    OF   JERSEY 

Oh,  that  rare  old  Norman  chapel, 

And  the  ruined  Castle  Pride 
That  towers  in  ancient  sovereignty 

Above  the  murmuring  tide, 
And  the  house  in  old  St.  Helier's 

Where  they  say  King  Charles  did  hide, 
When  he  fled  to  quiet  Jersey 
In  the  Channel. 

Those  hills  of  purple  heather, 
Those  fields  of  gorse  and  rose, 

The  dales  with  every  blossom 
That  the  honey-sipper  knows, 

And  the  fragrant  little  gardens, 
Of  thorn  hedges  rows  and  rows 

On  the  leafy  Isle  of  Jersey 
In  the  Channel. 

And  the  Jersey  cows  and  Jersey  French, 
The  quaint,  old  customs,  too, 

And  walls  with  trailing  fruit  trees, 
And  birds  of  every  hue, 

E'en  the  golden-throated  skylark 
Sailing  heavenward  in  the  blue, 

Singing  songs  of  praise  to  Jersey 
In  the  Channel. 

[33] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 

Oh,  the  sunny  slopes  and  orchards 
With  many  a  hidden  glade, 

The  most  enticing  shady  paths 
That  human  foot  has  made, 

And  cabbages  that  grow  so  tall, 
You  can  sit  beneath  their  shade 

On  that  strange,  old  Isle  of  Jersey 
In  the  Channel. 

There  are  winding  lanes  in  Jersey 
That  resemble  one  vast  bower, 

And  are  dotted  all  along  the  way 
With  many  a  bright-eyed  flower, 

And  there's  one  lane,  oh,  so  tiny, 
Just  for  two  at  twilight  hour, 

On  that  blissful  Isle  of  Jersey 
In  the  Channel. 

You  may  praise  the  lanes  of  Devon, 

A  delight  to  ear  and  eye, 
But  this  lane  you'll  find  far  sweeter, 

For  which  I  often  sigh; 
It's  so  narrow  and  so  cosy, 

Just  a  tunnel  to  the  sky 
From  this  lovers'  Isle  of  Jersey 
In  the  Channel. 

[34] 


THE    ISLE    OF   JERSEY 

Then  go  to  dear,  old  Jersey, 
This  land  of  magic  charms, 

Would  you  seek  a  spot  in  which  to  rest 
Safe  from  the  world's  alarms, 

For  Father  Ocean  holds  secure 
Within  his  loving  arms 

The  peaceful  Isle  of  Jersey 
In  the  Channel. 

Oh,  the  lovely  Isle  of  Jersey, 

The  flower-strewn  Isle  of  Jersey, 

The  sweet-scented  Isle  of  Jersey 
In  the  Channel ! 


[35] 


THE   SONG  OF  LIFE 


Gibraltar  to  Tangier 

IF  you  don't  mind  being  tossed  upon  a  very 
choppy  sea, 

And  you  love  the  smiling  springtime  of  the  year, 
Then  take  the  little  steamer  with  its  Moorish 

company 
And  sail  out  from  Gibraltar  to  Tangier. 

If  you've  braved  the  English  Channel  when  the 

sailors  call  it  rough, 
And  been  able  to  enjoy  it  all  the  way, 
You  will  love  this  breezy  crossing  to  Tangier 

from  the  Bluff 
As  the  dazzling  rainbows  glitter  in  the  spray. 

'Tis  in  May  the  sea  is  bluest  and  the  saucy  wave 
lets  mock 

And  dance  about  the  boat  in  merry  glee, 

While  in  majesty  above  you  towers  high  the 
mighty  Rock, 

And  you  bow  your  head  in  reverent  ecstasy. 

[36] 


GIBEALTAE   TO   TANGIEE 

Cutting  through  the  surging  billows,  churning 

up  the  green-white  foam, 

While  the  waves  upon  the  deck  are  dashing  high, 
Is  a  joy  that  knows  no  equal  to  the  heart  that 

loves  to  roam 
And  to  watch  the  laughing  ocean  kiss  the  sky. 

The  White  City  there  before  you  and  Gibraltar 

just  behind, 

What  earthly  cares  could  ever  cause  a  tear? 
Would  you  know  the  rarest  pleasure  that  we 

mortals  ever  find  — 
Then  —  cross  over  from  Gibraltar  to  Tangier. 


[37] 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Form  L9-2m-6,'49(B4568)444 


THE  LIBRARY 


S Shepherd  - 

537       3ong  of  life, 
g)|Bs     and  other  poems. 


A    001  248039    8 


PS 
3537 


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